Dear colleagues,
I am very sorry to share the sad news that Professor William Ritchie passed away recently.
Professor Ritchie was a previous Head of the Department of Geography at the University of Aberdeen, and later provided academic leadership to the University of Aberdeen as Vice-Principal from 1989 and then as Senior Vice-Principal from 1992 until his move to the University of Lancaster where he was Vice-Chancellor from 1995 to 2002.
For over forty years Professor Ritchie made a major contribution to the understanding of the physical geography of the Scottish coastline. He also published over 40 papers relating to the oil and gas industry (predominantly oil spill preparedness, monitoring programs and regulatory compliance). His expertise was recognised both at home and internationally when for example he chaired the public enquiry into the environmental impact of the Braer oil spill in Shetland, and undertook research at Louisiana State University into the coastal dunes and coastal erosion of the Louisiana shoreline with the Louisiana Geological Survey. Between 1980 and 2012 Bill held several positions within SOTEAG (Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental Advisory Group) a group that monitor and advise operators (BP, Shell and Shetland Islands Council) on the assessment of oil pollution risks and consequences at the port and oil terminal at Sullom Voe, Shetland.
Professor Ritchie was also Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Sites of Special and Scientific Interest for the Scottish Executive, a member of the Fulbright Commission, and Vice-President of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS). He also worked with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH [now NatureScot]) and the World Maritime University. He was elected to Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1982.
Among his many achievements during his time at Aberdeen was the setting up of the Institute of Medical Sciences, establishing the Aberdeen Institute for Coastal Sciences and Management (AICSM) and the BSc Degree in Marine Resource Management (MRM).
In 1994 he was awarded an OBE for services to higher education.
Professor William Ritchie will be remembered by many as a valued colleague and friend, a brilliant researcher and an inspiring University leader. Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.
A private funeral of close friends, colleagues and family will be held on Friday May 24.
With Best Wishes
Professor Dave Muirhead